BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
On National Angel Family Day, we pause to reflect on the tragic loss of thousands of American lives that have been cut short by the actions of criminal illegal aliens and the perilous drugs they smuggle across our borders. We stand in solidarity with Angel Families, many of whom still seek justice for their loved ones. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to executing the largest mass-deportation initiative in our Nation’s history, aiming to expel the most dangerous individuals from our shores and curb the violence that endangers the valiant members of our law enforcement.
Every year, countless American citizens fall victim to the predatory actions of criminal illegal aliens — often sent here by their home countries to rid their streets of unwanted elements. Upon returning to office, I received a heart-wrenching letter from a New York City police officer that filled both the First Lady and myself with profound sorrow and outrage. He detailed one of the most egregious lapses in recent memory — the murder of Laken Riley.
In 2022, a Venezuelan named Jose Ibarra illegally crossed the Southern Border and was subsequently released into our country by the Biden Administration. A year later, this NYPD officer witnessed Ibarra endanger a child and arrested him. To his astonishment, New York City — a so-called “sanctuary” jurisdiction — released Ibarra before Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) could issue a detainer for his deportation. Ibarra then fled to Georgia, where he brutally murdered a promising young woman, Laken Riley.
Cases like this officer’s, where diligence could have averted tragedy, and the heartbreaking losses endured by numerous other Angel Families only deepen my resolve to tackle the illegal immigration crisis with unwavering determination.
The human toll of the migrant crime crisis is etched into the stories of Americans like Laken Riley, Jocelyn Nungaray, and Rachel Morin, who suffered brutal attacks and murders at the hands of illegal aliens. Additionally, we cannot forget Matthew Denice, Sarah Root, and Ivory Smith, who lost their lives due to drunk-driving incidents involving illegal aliens. Each one of these individuals was loved, full of potential, and taken from us far too soon. This tragedy extends to the thousands of Americans who succumb each year to fentanyl trafficking, facilitated by cartels and criminal illegal aliens. The most heartbreaking aspect of this crisis is that each life lost, every child trafficked, every vehicular homicide, every drug-related death, and every crime committed by an illegal alien is entirely preventable.
As we mark the second anniversary of Laken Riley’s murder, we remember her warmth and the promise of her young life. While no action can undo the pain her family has endured, I pledge to remove dangerous illegal alien criminals from our Nation to prevent such senseless tragedies from recurring. The first bill I signed into law was the Laken Riley Act, which enforces the detention and deportation of illegal alien criminals and empowers states to sue the Federal Government when immigration laws are not upheld. Within the first six months of my term, I declared a National Emergency at the Southern Border, reinstated the Remain in Mexico policy, and deployed troops to stem the flow of the invasion. I also designated cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and initiated targeted strikes against these narco-terrorists to disrupt the influx of lethal drugs that have devastated our communities and fractured families across our country.
Following the passage of the transformative One Big Beautiful Bill in July, we are now implementing the most significant immigration reform in modern American history. This groundbreaking legislation mobilizes a substantial increase in Homeland Security, ICE, and Border Patrol personnel, authorizes the construction of hundreds of miles of new border wall, and equips law enforcement with the necessary tools and resources to apprehend and deport dangerous illegal aliens while dismantling trafficking networks.
The outcomes speak for themselves. The first quarter of fiscal year 2026 saw the lowest number of southwest border apprehensions on record. Nationwide encounters have plummeted by 92 percent compared to the monthly average under the previous administration, and for nine consecutive months, there have been zero releases along the southwest border — zero. We have achieved the safest and most secure border in American history. Yet, our work is far from complete.
We must put an end to the violence against the courageous men and women of ICE and Border Patrol. The vilification of these heroes by radical politicians must cease, and the reckless sanctuary policies that protect criminal aliens must be dismantled once and for all.
I urge Congress to pass Kate’s Law — legislation that imposes stricter penalties on individuals who illegally re-enter the United States after being deported, particularly those with prior criminal convictions. These measures are essential for preventing tragic killings from occurring repeatedly.
A Nation without secure borders is not a Nation at all, and a society devoid of justice cannot claim true freedom. We renew our obligation to uphold the rule of law, secure our borders, and ensure accountability for every American life lost due to illegal aliens and for every Angel Family enduring the unimaginable pain of loss. We will never forget the victims; we stand with the families who bear this everlasting grief, and we will never waver in our fight to protect our people and our homeland.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim February 22, 2026, as National Angel Family Day. I call upon the American people to gather in their places of worship to honor the victims taken from us by illegal aliens and those lost to the fentanyl crisis, and to support the Angel Families and those affected by drug overdoses. I further implore public officials, community leaders, and all citizens to put an end to the violence and lawlessness that have claimed so many innocent lives.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-third day of February, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.
DONALD J. TRUMP
